Hatfield Forest

view across the lake to the black pines — a fine view across the lake

Side view of Shell House showing sunburst motif — admire the sunburst motif on the Shell House

Red poll cattle grazing on the main plain at Hatfield Forest, Essex — Red poll cattle

Lilies on the Decoy Lake. bursting into bud — Lilies about to burst into flower

dappled shade on the exit raod — enjoy the dappled shade on the exit road

view across the lake from near the Shell House — looking across the lake

Important notice -

Entry to our internal car parks is from 9am until 4pm daily. All parking spaces need advanced booking and can not be made on the day. Please visit the what's on area below for the latest information.

Ancient royal hunting forest

Overview
Opening times
Prices
How to get here
Facilities and access
Contact us
Property map

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit

We’ve opened more than 130 gardens and parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.

Hatfield Forest

What's on

Please book ahead before visiting

You will need to book your car parking space in advance of your arrival to Hatfield Forest National Nature Reserve. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday from 12 June and you will need to book your car parking space by 3pm the day before your visit. Please note we’ll be turning people away who arrive and haven't booked. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.

Book now

Timed car parking at Hatfield Forest (13 July - 19 July)

Tue 14 Jul 2020

+ 5 other dates

12:00-12:30

+ other times

Book your timed car parking at Hatfield Forest.

Hatfield Forest

Things to see and do

Boys with their dad sitting on a tree stump next to the lake

Plan your summer visit to Hatfield Forest

Looking for some outdoor adventure, then see what we have to offer in this special National Nature Reserve.

Visiting with your dog at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest is a perfect place for walking your dog, with miles of paths to explore, trees to sniff and grass to roll about in.

Tree growing in open parkland in May at Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest Trails

Get some fresh air and exercise by following one of the many walks around the forest.

Barbeques and campfires are a significant fire risk

Our policy on BBQs

Due to a high risk of wildfires at the moment, we're asking you to please not bring a barbecue or light a campfire when you visit the coast and countryside. To help protect wildlife, please also take any litter home with you.

Hatfield Forest

Eating and shopping

Eating at Hatfield Forest

Our café reopened on Thursday 25 June and will initially be serving a limited range of takeaway hot and cold drinks and some light snacks. We've introduced new safety measures including closure of our seating areas, screens at our till and collection points, and waymarked routes. We'll also only be accepting card payment. We look forward to welcoming you back and know that you'll support us to make this a safe experience for everyone.

A display of china in the Hatfield Forest shop

Shopping

The Forest Shop is currently closed but when we're able to safely reopen, enjoy tempting treats, from locally sourced food to the perfect gift.

Venison recipe cards from Hatfield Forest

Fruits of the Forest

We sell award winning venison, firewood and planks of timber, all sourced from the Forest.

Bring some character to your garden with our range of garden decor, available on the online shop

Treat yourself

Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop. Your purchases and support enable us to continue to care for the nature, beauty and history we all miss.

Hatfield Forest

Our work

The Shell House set in lawns overlooking the lake, about 1900

Restoring the historic lakeside parkland at Hatfield Forest

Visitors to Hatfield Forest will notice some changes taking place this autumn. A 1.8 hectare area of scrubland next to the café and lake is to be removed as part of a long term project to restore the historic Capability Brown landscape of the 1700s.

Special Projects

Find out more about some of the special projects we undertake in and around the Forest.

High winds in Hatfield Forest

When there's a storm a-brewing, we need to close the forest.

National Trust Warden rounding up sheep near Forest Lodge at Hatfield Forest, Essex.

Conservation in action

Are you interested in how we look after the forest, to protect and enhance our special place

Hatfield Forest Conservation Management Plan

Take a look at our conservation management plan for the forest, as well as background expert reports.

Creating a living lab in Hatfield Forest

Find out how we're working with world-leading tree and soil experts to create a living laboratory in Hatfield Forest.

Hatfield Forest

History

The history of Hatfield Forest

Find out more about the history of Hatfield Forest stretching back over two thousand years.

Forest Families

Several families have been associated with ownership of the Forest over the last six hundred years.

Hatfield Forest Heroes

Find out more about some of the people who helped shape what we see and love today about our special place

Forest Buildings and Sites

The Forest contains a number of buildings and sites of historic interest.

Extract from 1757 plan with inset of Capability Brown

Interesting Facts about Hatfield Forest

Find out more about some of the things you may have seen whilst exploring the Forest

Hatfield Forest

Wildlife

Get Twitching

There are many species of bird at our special place. From woodland to water they call our special place home.

A group of fallow deer in a ride at Hatfield Forest

Discover the Deer

We're home to an established population of both fallow and muntjac deer, secretive and shy but well worth the stake out. Come scour our woods to see how many you find.

Wildflowers and Insects

We're not only a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but also a National Nature Reserve. Visit to find out why we've been awarded these designations and what they mean for our visitors and volunteers.

Girl in field looking through binoculars — Watch a bird

No. 44 watch a bird

Head over to the bird hide (by the side of the lake opposite the cafe) and see if you can spot some of our feathered residents.

Hatfield Forest

Learning

Children creating art from leaves, twigs and bark

Learning at Hatfield Forest

What better way to learn than in an outdoor classroom. Bring your group and discover our varied and exciting learning programme.

Children enjoying the trees in Hatfield Forest, Essex

Hatfield Forest Explorer Groups

Come and have some fun in the Forest. Join one of our monthly Explorer groups.

Hatfield Forest

Get involved

Local Supporter Groups

Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you? Join your local supporter group to enjoy special interest talks, visits, holidays and other social events. These groups do so much for Hatfield Forest, supporting us not only with fundraising but also hands-on conservation activities, with particular thanks to the Cambridge, Chelmsford and Herts and Essex Border Centres.